St. Joseph’s College Faculty of English & Communication

New Higher English 2017-18 Recommended as a one year course for students who have gained at least a B pass at National 5. Those with a C pass will need to do the Higher over 2 years. Follows the progression of the National 5 course, which staff have experience of delivering.

Course Structure Analysis & Evaluation – There are two units: Analysis & Evaluation – Skills assessed: Reading and Listening Creation & Production– Skills assessed: Writing and Talking Pupils will need to pass four unit assessments in class. (Reading x1, Listening x1, Writing x1 and Talking x1) These are marked by the class teacher. Cross-marked by another teacher in the English Department

Analysis & Evaluation Assessments Reading: a reading assessment, with questions on a text which might be a newspaper article or a literary text. Listening: pupils will listen to an audio or video clip and answer questions on what they have heard.

Creation & Production Assessments Writing: pupils produce an extended piece of writing. It could be imaginative writing (such as a short story), personal reflective writing, or a persuasive/argumentative essay. Talking: skills in talking may be assessed by solo talk, group talk or class debate, as selected by the class teacher.

What if my son/daughter fails a Unit Assessment? Generally only one resit is allowed, unless there are special circumstances. What if my son/daughter fails the resit too? Then a course award cannot be obtained.

THE WRITING PORTFOLIO Students will produce substantial pieces of writing in several genres. In March, students will select their best imaginative or reflective piece, and their best persuasive or argumentative piece. These will be reviewed and redrafted, and then sent to the SQA for marking. Each portfolio piece must be at least 650 words and not more than 1300 words long. Emphasis on quality.

THE FINAL EXAMINATION Paper 1 – RUAE (1 hour) (Reading for Understanding, Analysis and Evaluation, formerly known as Close Reading). Two non-fiction passages with questions on the first passage, then a question asking candidates to compare the two passages. Paper 2 - Critical Reading (1 hour 30 minutes) Part 1: textual analysis of an extract from a Scottish text already studied in class, from a list of set texts. Part 2: a critical essay on a text which must not be the same genre as the text used in part 1.

A, B, C... ? The grade your child receives in their course depends on both the Exam and the Writing Portfolio. The RUAE paper counts for 30 marks. The Critical Reading paper counts for 40 marks. (20 marks each for the textual analysis and the essay.) The Writing Portfolio counts for 30 marks.

English Higher Results - 2017 The experience, commitment and expertise of staff in the English department is shown in this year’s SQA results: 21 A 25 B 17 C 2 D 1 NO AWARD

National 5 English The SQA has changed the requirements at National 5 for this year. Pupils will NOT undertake the now stand alone unit assessments, if they are entered for the National 5 exam.

N5 Course Assessment The Exam (70%) Two papers Paper 1: RUAE (30%) (Reading for Understanding, Analysis and Evaluation, formerly known as Close Reading). Paper 2: Critical Reading (40%) Portfolio of Writing (30%) Two pieces of writing, one broadly creative, one broadly discursive.

The National 5 Exam Paper 1 – RUAE (1 hour) (Reading for Understanding, Analysis and Evaluation) a non-fiction passage with questions   Paper 2 - Critical Reading (1 hour 30 minutes) Part 1: textual analysis of an extract from a Scottish text already studied in class, from a list of set texts. Part 2: one critical essay on a text which must not be the same genre as the text used in part 1.

N5 Portfolio of Writing Writing pieces produced throughout the year In February/March, students select their best imaginative or reflective piece, and their best persuasive or argumentative piece These will be reviewed and redrafted, and then sent to the SQA for marking Each piece should be between 600 and 1000 words in length. Emphasis on quality. Writing submitted in the portfolio must be the student’s own work

English National 5 Results - 2017 The experience, commitment and expertise of staff in the English department is shown in this year’s SQA results: 64 A 38 B 21 C 2 D 1 NO AWARD

How can I support my child?

How can I help with reading and writing skills? Remind them to: read broadsheet newspapers, watch documentary type TV, discuss issues, listen to Radio 4 . . . read books.

How can I help with the study of literature? It’s not enough for students to read a novel, play or poem once: they must get to know a text thoroughly. Encourage them to build knowledge of texts steadily and memorise key quotations. Encourage planning and writing of practice essays.

How much homework will there be? Students must be prepared for regular homework. It will include: reading and note-taking from class texts, essay writing and other smaller homework tasks. Regular revision of classwork is also extremely important.

Higher / National 5 Resources • A Past Paper and Specimen papers are available on the SQA’s website • Most newspapers, but especially broadsheet newspapers: The Times, The Herald, The Scotsman, The Telegraph, The Independent, The Guardian . . . and the Sundays • Course books such as How to Pass Higher English for CfE by Ann Bridges (Hodder Gibson) and CfE Higher English Success Guide by Iain Valentine (Leckie & Leckie) Course books such as How to Pass National 5 English by David Swinney (Hodder Gibson) and National 5 English Practice Papers by Craig Aitchison (Leckie & Leckie).

English Help Class These start next term - Mondays after school

English Higher: Dates for your diary Unit Assessments: throughout the year Prelim: tbc. but within the prelim diet (8th - 19th January 2018) Final Exam: Friday 11th May 2018

English N5: Dates for your diary Prelim: tbc. but within the prelim diet (8th - 19th January 2018) Final Exam: Monday 14th May 2018